Bryan District 1 County Commission runoff set for Tuesday

Voters in Bryan County’s District 1 will go back to the polls next Tuesday to decide who will represent them on the Board of Commissioners.

The election, a runoff between Democrat Joe Kendrick and political newcomer Republican Noah Covington was forced when neither received the 50-percent-plus-one vote needed to take the seat during the Nov. 6 General Election.

That night Covington, the top vote getter, almost made it into office as he received 49 percent of the votes cast. Kendrick secured a spot in the runoff by receiving 28 percent. But in the end former District 1 commissioner Rufus “Ed” Bacon spoiled the victory celebration for both men by picking up 23 percent of the votes.

Covington, the plant manager for Pembroke Advanced Communications, lists taxes, jobs, economic development and the landfill proposed for north Bryan County as the most important issues.

“I am personally opposed to the landfill,” he said. “I have a strong sense of private property and I believe you should be allowed to do as you wish on your property, but this does not and should not extend to infringing upon the quality of life that your neighbors enjoy. Every Bryan County resident I have spoken with believes this will in some way negatively impact our county and our area. I will never vote for a landfill in my back yard.

“Nearly 72 percent of the tax revenues collected in Bryan County is produced by residential taxes. Bryan County has the largest tax burden on our residential properties of any county in our region. We absolutely must find ways to provide tax relief to the residents of Bryan County. My solution is continued support and assistance with economic development for the City of Pembroke and Bryan County.”

Kendrick, who currently serves on the Bryan County Board of Commissioners as the First District representative, has declined to respond to questions regarding his campaign.

District 1 voters cast their ballots at either the Harn Community Center in Pembroke or the Hendrix Park Gym on Tuesday between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.